Thank you Madam President,
Let me thank SRSG Perthes for his briefing and welcome the Representative of Sudan to this meeting.
Since we last discussed UNITAMS in this Council, it seems the situation on the ground has continued to deteriorate.
Human rights violations and abuses are widespread with zero accountability for the perpetrators. No one seems to be safe from such violations.
The recent report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council speaks very clearly of a “sharp reversal of human rights achievements following the military coup”. Albania is deeply concerned that accountability measures put in place by the previous civilian government have been reversed and dismantled by the military authorities.
At the same time, some positive developments were made:
1) We welcome that the Trilateral Mechanism of cooperation between the UN, AU and IGAD has started its work. We applaud the efforts of the three organizations and their Special Representatives to work together to consolidate the framework for an inclusive intra-Sudanese dialog. Genuine dialog between all stakeholders is necessary to end the current political deadlock.
2) The creation of a Women’s Support Group facilitated by UNITAMS is an important step to bringing the voices of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and others to the table and to mainstream a gender perspective into all items under discussion.
3) We also welcome the release of some political detainees, but we urge the military and security forces to release all political detainees, end arbitrary arrests, lift the state of emergency, and to avoid any acts that may jeopardize the dialogue.
Madam President,
We are very concerned that violence in Darfur has intensified in recent months and is still on the rise, leading to new waves of displacement and humanitarian suffering.
In order for Sudan to end the violence, to move forward, and to find lasting political solutions, accountability is key. Independent investigations into all violence by all actors are essential – whether in Darfur, in Khartoum, or elsewhere.
Madam President,
As we see from the report UNITAMS and the SRSG are fulfilling the mandate as tasked by this Council. Albania supports the work of UNITAMS, and we look forward to the renewal of the mandate.
In concluding let me stress that the dire economic circumstances in Sudan is not due to lack of international support, but due to a lack of political will of the Sudanese authorities. We are convinced that the international community stands ready to re-engage in Sudan if true political will to solve this crisis is visible. All Sudanese stakeholders should continue to engage constructively in the political process to restore a constitutionally legitimate transition and to resume the path to civilian leadership and democracy in Sudan.
I thank you.
